Timing cover reseal: coolant leak

i've heard of the timing cover leaking oil, but never coolant.

resealing is a big job, and that's not a bad price. but most often, the leak isn't worth repairing, unless there's a puddle under the car.
i would start with the pump, and see how it goes

 

I'd walk away from these clowns. They're trying to scam you...

#1) Just because inverter coolant is leaking a little doesn't mean it's necessary to replace the coolant, it just means you clean and inspect and if need be put a new hose clamp on where it's leaking from. If you had a failed hose maybe it could be argued you have to drain the coolant a little to replace the hose, but that's not what they suggested doing.

#2) Much like the dashboard, the timing chain cover is a magical place in a vehicle where you can charge hugely inflated book hours and a long list of parts to fix a barely detectable leak that needs to be monitored after a good cleaning, not repaired. What's more, as Bisco suggests, timing chain covers for a minor leak are oil based, not coolant based. If you have a coolant leak in that area that's less than minor that's an engine coolant pump problem, not timing chain cover problem.

Anyways, I live 90 minutes north of Portland and would be happy to help you take care of your car when there's actually something wrong with it. Based on these symptoms the only thing you need is a through engine compartment cleaning and top off the coolant and monitor the rate of the leak so you're ready to take the next step when it goes from minor to significant.

What these mechanics are doing to you is why this man of integrity quit his new auto mechanic job after 4 hours of working for similar scammers. I wish there were more mechanics who were honest as him: I couldn't believe what this owner actually asked me to do. It was a no from me and I left 4 hours after I started.

 

Sure I'd be happy to take a look for free as I do this for a hobby and side hustle and don't have a shop/job doing it. You're always welcome to donate though. ;-) Just text me, I'm in west Oly: 360-789-78four.three

 

That's a pretty sketchy diagnosis considering that photo shows crystal buildup at the bottom of the engine coolant pump. The leak isn't even significant enough to be wet. A bit of seepage that's evaporating before it can puddle/etc and leaving a buildup of deposits. I'd be a lot more inclined to bide my time and find a mechanic with a brain and then have the pump replaced at my convenience. Then again, even though I've seen very similar deposit buildup on a couple prii and replaced the water pumps, we're looking at it from the other end of the internet.